Happy New Year! Here at Granite State Gastroenterology, we hope that everyone out there has made a resolution to live a healthier lifestyle. This will help you feel your best this year! Since a healthy gut is directly linked to immunity, we thought we would start the year off with a list of ways for you to tell if you have a healthy gut.
What is considered a "healthy" gut?
Gut health is a major factor in your overall health and wellness. However, what is gut health and how do you know that your gut is functioning correctly?
Put simply, a healthy gut is one where there is a balance between the good and the bad bacteria and yeast in your digestive system. Your gut health can be influenced by a variety of factors including diet, stress levels, digestive conditions, and allergies.
How long does it take to digest food?
The amount of time that it takes for your GI tract to digest food is called your gut transit time and although the time can differ widely between people, it normally averages around 30-40 hours. Anything significantly longer or shorter than this can indicate a bigger issue. It is important to keep in mind that foods high in fiber tend to move more quickly through your digestive tract while meat and junk food generally takes a longer time to digest.
How often do you defecate?
Many people feel embarrassed to talk about how frequently they defecate but this can be a telltale sign that something is not working correctly in your digestive system. While everyone’s bodies are slightly different, a good rule of thumb is the three and three rule. This means that anything between three times a day and three times a week is considered normal. If you are going to the restroom less or more frequently than this, you may be experiencing diarrhea or constipation.
What does your feces look like?
When we were babies, it is likely that our parents paid a significant amount of attention to our bowel movements and the type of waste that we produced. It is still imperative that we pay attention to this as adults as it can give important information as to the health of our GI tract.
When you have a healthy gut, feces is normally medium to dark brown, smooth in texture, and sausage-shaped. It should also sink in the toilet bowl. Hard and lumpy waste is generally a sign of constipation while soft or liquid waste can normally be linked with diarrhea. If this lasts short-term, it is most likely due to dietary changes and will often clear up on its own or with simple at-home treatments.
However, if feces is yellow, green, black, or red and this change in color can’t be directly attributed to diet, you should consult with a doctor to help identify any underlying issues.
Again, the appearance of stool can change based on your diet so make note of whether or not you have eaten any foods like beets, turmeric, spinach, or kale.
If you see blood in your stool, this could be a sign of a serious issue. While bright red blood is often due to hemorrhoids, dark red blood mainly comes from the colon or small bowel. If this is the case, it is important to see a doctor to rule out any life-threatening diseases.
Are you experiencing any abdominal pain?
Bloating, gas, and constipation are something that most people experience at some point. However, consistent GI discomfort is a telltale sign that something is wrong and could be a symptom of GERD, intestinal infections, IBS, Celiac disease, or a range of GI issues.
Need help?
If you are experiencing severe abdominal pain or other symptoms that you are concerned about, it is important that you speak with a doctor. Our team of specialists at Granite State Gastroenterology will be happy to discuss your concerns and provide a consultation. Give us a call today!